CFSP
Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) is the European Union's framework for coordinating member states' foreign policy and security actions. It aims to safeguard the EU's values and interests through diplomacy, sanctions, and crisis response, and to promote peace, democracy, human rights, and international security. CFSP covers political dialogue, external relations, sanctions, and, in concert with security policy, crisis management.
Legal basis and governance: CFSP was established by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993 as part of the
Instruments and scope: The EU articulates CFSP positions through common positions and joint actions, and can
Relation to CSDP and external action: CSDP is the security and defence dimension of CFSP. The EEAS
Significance and challenges: CFSP remains central to the EU's external strategy, balancing consensus among 27 member